10 Surprisingly Heartfelt Kids’ Movies That Will Make You Cry
You know those kids’ movies that catch you completely off guard? You sit down expecting a sweet family movie, and before you know it, you’re wiping away tears.
We were recently talking with our sisters about the movies that do this to us, and we started putting together a list of our favorites. Not necessarily the saddest movies, or even the ones everyone thinks of when they hear “tearjerker.” We’re talking about the movies that make you cry because the stories are just so beautiful.
The ones about unconditional love, unlikely friendships, selfless sacrifices, and the people who become our family. The ones that remind us of the goodness in the world.
Some are newer favorites, some are movies we grew up watching, and a few might surprise you. But every one of them has a special way of tugging at our heartstrings.
Here are 10 surprisingly heartfelt kids’ movies that have brought us to tears.
1. The Wild Robot (2024)
Rated PG | Where to Watch: Prime Video
If you’ve watched The Wild Robot, you probably understand why it started this whole conversation.
What begins as a story about a robot stranded on an island becomes one of the most beautiful stories about motherhood, belonging, and unconditional love. Watching Roz learn to care for a little gosling, and seeing how that love transforms her, is incredibly moving.
It’s a story about finding your purpose in caring for someone else, and about how love can make a family out of the most unlikely circumstances.
2. The Good Dinosaur (2015)
Rated PG | Where to Watch: Disney+
We think The Good Dinosaur deserves so much more love.
The friendship between Arlo, a timid young dinosaur, and Spot, a little human boy, is one of the sweetest parts of this movie. They come from completely different worlds, but they learn to care for and protect each other as they make their way through the wilderness.
It’s a beautiful story about courage, friendship, family, and loving someone enough to help them find their way home.
And the scenery is absolutely gorgeous.
3. Bluey: The Sign (2024)
Rated TV-Y | Where to Watch: Disney+
Okay, technically this is a television special rather than a movie, but we couldn’t leave it off the list.
When the Heeler family prepares to move, Bluey struggles with the thought of leaving behind everything familiar. What follows is such a tender story about change, family, and what really makes a place feel like home.
One of the things we love most about Bluey is its ability to take ordinary family experiences and turn them into something deeply meaningful.
And The Sign might be one of the best examples of that.
4. Annabelle’s Wish (1997)
Rated G | YouTube or Amazon Prime ($1 rental)
This is one of those childhood Christmas movies that we wish more people knew about.
Annabelle is a little calf who dreams of becoming one of Santa’s reindeer. But when she develops a special friendship with a young boy named Billy, she discovers that there are things far more important than having her own wishes come true.
It’s a gentle, old-fashioned Christmas story about kindness, friendship, and selfless love.
If you love movies that remind you of the goodness in people, this is such a sweet one to revisit.
5. Klaus (2019)
Rated PG | Where to Watch: Netflix
Klaus has quickly become one of our favorite Christmas movies, and it’s so much more than a clever retelling of Santa Claus.
When a selfish young postman forms an unlikely friendship with a lonely toymaker, their small acts of kindness begin to transform an entire town.
We love the message that one good deed can inspire another, and that even the smallest acts of love can make a lasting difference.
It’s funny, beautifully animated, and full of heart. And by the end, you’ll understand exactly why it belongs on this list.
6. Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (2014)
Rated G | Where to Watch: Disney+
Who would have guessed that a Tinker Bell movie would make us cry this much?
When Fawn befriends a mysterious creature that the other fairies are afraid of, she sees something wonderful in him that everyone else overlooks.
Their unlikely friendship becomes such a beautiful story about trust, compassion, and loving someone even when others don’t understand.
This is one of those overlooked Disney movies that deserves so much more attention. It’s surprisingly tender, and the ending stays with you.
7. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Rated G | Where to Watch: Disney+
Few Disney friendships are quite as sweet as Tod and Copper’s.
A young fox and a hunting dog become best friends, completely unaware that the world around them expects them to be enemies. As they grow older, their friendship is tested in ways neither of them could have imagined.
There’s something so beautiful about their loyalty to each other, even as their circumstances change.
It’s bittersweet, yes, but it’s also a lovely reminder that kindness and friendship can endure even when life looks very different from what we expected.
8. Inside Out (2015)
Rated PG | Where to Watch: Disney+
Inside Out is such a clever movie, but underneath all the colorful characters and funny moments is an incredibly tender story about growing up.
As Riley adjusts to a new home and all the complicated emotions that come with change, we get a beautiful reminder that sadness isn’t something we always need to fix or push away.
Sometimes sadness helps us recognize what matters most. Sometimes it’s what brings us closer to the people we love.
And watching Riley navigate those feelings makes this movie just as meaningful for adults as it is for kids.
9. Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Rated G | Where to Watch: Disney+
We think Meet the Robinsons might be one of Disney’s most underrated movies.
Lewis is a young inventor who dreams of finding the family he’s never known. His adventures take him to a wonderfully unusual future, where he discovers that family, love, and belonging can look different from what he imagined.
We love the movie’s message about moving forward, learning from our mistakes, and not letting disappointment define us.
But what really makes this movie special is its beautiful reminder that everyone deserves to be loved and to have a place where they belong.
That ending gets us every time.
10. Onward (2020)
Rated PG | Where to Watch: Disney+
Onward follows two brothers, Ian and Barley, on a magical quest to spend one more day with the father they lost when they were young.
It’s funny and adventurous, but at its heart, it’s one of the most beautiful stories about sibling love.
As the brothers travel together, Ian begins to recognize the many ways his older brother has loved, supported, and cared for him throughout his life.
It’s such a tender reminder that sometimes the people who have shaped our lives the most are the ones who’ve been quietly beside us all along.
And as sisters, we especially love that message.
Why These Movies Stay With Us
One thing we noticed while putting this list together is how many of these movies share the same beautiful themes.
They’re about loving someone enough to make a sacrifice. Seeing the good in someone others misunderstand. Finding your people. Being brave enough to let someone go. And recognizing the quiet, everyday ways people show their love.
Maybe that’s why these movies make us cry.
Not just because something sad happens, but because they remind us of the things that matter most.
We love finding stories like these to share with our families. Movies that entertain our kids but also leave us with something meaningful to talk about afterward.
We hope this list reminds you of an old favorite or helps you discover a new one. Maybe one of these will become a movie your family watches together for years to come.
Now we’d love to know: What’s a kids’ movie that makes you cry because it’s just so beautiful? Especially one that doesn’t get talked about enough. We’re always looking for another heartfelt favorite to add to our list!
XO The Threads Between Sisters
Parent note: Some of these movies include themes of grief, separation, danger, or loss. We recommend previewing them for younger or more sensitive viewers. Streaming availability varies by location and can change, so check your preferred platform before movie night.
